Different Versions: SODOM & GOMORRAH (1962)

In today's example of different versions found in my collection, the spotlight is on SODOM & GOMORRAH (1962) starring Steward Granger, Anouk Aimée, Stanley Baker and a host of other actors.

With the recent release of the German and Japanese Blu-rays, I thought it was time to make some comparisons. The German uncut version is excellent but oddly enough the shorter version, or cut, available in the German Blu-ray and the same print on the Japanese Blu-ray, is better than the uncut one. Both uncut and cut are excellent, compared to older copies, but the colours of the cut print are richer.

The run time for this movie are almost all different, more so when looking at the frame rates.



GERMAN Blu-ray (UNCUT)

Resolution/aspect ratio: 1920 x 1036 

Run time/Frame rate: 2h 34m (24fps)

Excellent print but a couple of issues. The opening credits is grainy compared to the cut print and the image throughout is slightly too bright.



GERMAN Blu-ray (CUT)

Resolution/aspect ratio: 1920 x 1080 (with black bars)

Run time/Frame rate: 1h 57m (24fps)

This CUT print, included in the German Blu-ray, and the print on the Japanese Blu-ray is, imo, better. Unfortunately, there's nearly 37 minutes missing from this version.



JAPANESE Blu-ray (CUT)

Resolution/aspect ratio: 1920 x 1036

Run time/Frame rate: 1h 57m (24fps)

Same print as the CUT print found on the German Blu-ray. The image is better. The GIF animation below shows how the image is less bright, retaining more natural skin tones and details.

 

GREEK DVD

Resolution/aspect ratio: 1280 x 720 (with black bars) - heavily cropped widescreen

1258 x 541 (without bars)

Run time/Frame rate: 1h 51m (24fps)

The worst copy in my collection. Unwatchable. Run time is identical to TV broadcast below but since this one is at 24 frames per second, and the TV broadcast is at 25 frames per second, the run times are different.



RAI TV BROADCAST

Resolution/aspect ratio: 928 x 522 cropped widescreen

Run time/Frame rate: 1h 51m (25fps)

You'd think a TV broadcast of the movie in HD would be good but it's not. Colours are terrible and the image is cropped and distorted. A disappointment. 



GERMAN DVD

Resolution/aspect ratio: 720 x 368 cropped widescreen

Run time/Frame rate: 2h 22m (25fps)

This is the print that I got in my collection for the longest time and it's wildly uneven. Many scenes with VHS-like artifacts in between clearer print. Colours are drab. The run time is unlike any other here. Another big disappointment.



SPANISH DVD

Resolution/aspect ratio: 718 x 432 cropped widescreen

Run time/Frame rate: 2h 25m (25fps)

Though the image is not perfect, the details in the costumes and such are much better than the German DVD or many other prints. Run time different than others here as well.



FRENCH VHS

Resolution/aspect ratio: 688 x 406 cropped widescreen

Run time/Frame rate: 2h 24m (25fps)

Poor print but at least it was in (cropped) widescreen.